"It must be remembered that the purpose of education is not to fill the minds of students with facts...it is to teach them to think." -Robert M. Hutchins
Teaching is a profession that can result in something rewarding when the right ideas and beliefs are implemented in the classroom. I hold many ideas about teaching, specifically teaching science. Some of my ideas come from observing educational settings or as a result of my educational experiences. Many of my ideas come from my background in Human Development and observing adolescence. I believe that it is the task of every teacher to increase knowledge and understanding in the classroom. For me, teaching science should ideally be focused around three major areas: Discovery Learning, Communication, and Accommodating all Learners.
Discovery Learning is an inquiry based, constructivist theory that believes students learn best in situations where they connect past experiences to existing knowledge and discover new things. This is one of my main focuses because one of the benefits of using the Discovery Learning approach in science is that it will create a social environment where students are intrinsically motivated to learn more information,experiment,and/or solve problems. By stimulating students curiosity, whether through laboratories, projects,or connecting science to daily life, they will be directed to take ownership of their own learning. I believe that by actively engaging students they will pay more attention and better grasp the concepts in science. It is of greater importance and much clearer when we connect information ourselves.
Communication will be another major focus for me as a teacher. I believe that effective communication is a key component in teaching because it promotes positive behavior and sets the tone for the classroom. Getting students to participate in class by being inviting and supportive of their comments, ideas, and questions can help students feel more comfortable in the classroom. I think that if students feel more comfortable in the classroom then they will be more willing to cooperate and learn. Setting clear objectives and expectations are also important to promote student involvement in learning and classroom management. Students need to know what is expected of them, for example being disrespectful to others while having a group discussion will not be tolerated. It is not only important to communicate with students but parents, guardians, administrators, and other professionals as well. These people can become valuable resources in which teachers can use to exchange ideas, get advice, or help solve a problem.
Accommodating students learning styles is very important to me. It is important to remember that every student is different and learns things in different ways. Differences may include cultural, linguistic,or intellectual. Many students have a preferred way of thinking that works best when introducing new concepts to them and communicating. I realize that there are different ways that knowledge can be gained and learning can be assessed and I plan to accommodate students to the best of my ability. I realize that a big problem in school is that some students struggle and fall behind the curriculum and do not understand why, they just figure that something must be wrong with them, get frustrated,and ultimately disengage themselves from the topic. I know this because I too struggled as a student. A few ways to accommodate different learning styles include,but are not limited to, research projects, jigsaw activities, or using audio and visual technology. Using a variety of learning opportunities allows students to both enjoy learning, and if a choice is incorporated, gives them some control over their education. A good teacher is one who focuses on students abilities, interests, and background knowledge.
My teaching philosophy addresses my beliefs and is influenced by my experiences. Promoting students involvement in learning is very important to me and by stimulating their curiosity it motivates students to want to understand ideas. It is my opinion that encouraging effective communication inside and outside the classroom will help foster lifelong learning. Also, I believe that it is beneficial to understand that students learn differently and that not all teaching styles are equally effective in all situations. Being a science teacher, I can provide students with new learning opportunities like experimenting in laboratories, participating in science fairs, and discovering new things from hands-on activities. I believe that one of the gifts of science is inquiry and ultimately it promotes students thinking and fosters lifelong knowledge.
NEW
I believe that each student has to have a secure and supportive learning environment. Learning has to be promoted so students can grow and mature intellectually, emotionally, socially, and physically. Ideally, I would like to promote a learning environment that is safe, inviting, and supports risk-taking. Now that I have been in the classroom for a few weeks my views have been influenced a bit. I have used my old rationale as the foundation to build upon, that is why I did not delete it , rather modified.
I view inquiry and discovery learning as the same concept. I have came to the realization that the idea of Inquiry-based activities is great but I have found that when supplies are limited you use what you have. Some of the time engaging students is attempted through discussions and connections made to everyday life. I truly believe that students generate a sincere interest when confronted with a task or problem that is relevant. When students are interested in something it fosters intrinsic motivation and students can take ownership for their learning. They are motivated to work hard and achieve their goals.I believe that inquiry is important in Science. There is alot of planning and time that goes into inquiry based activities. Before I think of doing an inquiry based lesson I surround myself with the possibilities and misconceptions that the students may have, and I wonder "will they get it". That is a risk that the teacher takes.
I have found that communication is very important in a classroom. Verbal and non-verbal communication is very important for a teacher to guide and instruct. Also, reading students body language is helpful to see if they are confident or interested. Time management and deadlines have become helpful for me. By monitoring the time for tasks it ensures me that I will cover most of what has been planned (we all know that this is difficult because of many reasons). Effective communication supports interaction within the classroom. Discreet non-verbal cues and constant prodding have been effective for me. Setting clear objectives and expectations have made it easier to promote student involvement in learning and classroom management. A safe, supportive, and respected learning environment fosters positive relationships. In my opinion, students need to know what is expected of them, for example being disrespectful to others while having a group discussion will not be tolerated. I think that students need to feel comfortable enough in the classroom that they can open up to share their ideas and experiences. Ultimately, I have observed that if the student feels intimidated or is shy that he/she will not take risks for the simple reasons of being wrong,embarrassed, or the fear of being teased.
Lastly, accommodation is important to ensure equal learning opportunities for all. It does not mean that all students have to perform on the same task. Differentiating instruction to me means sometimes assessing on growth rather than formal assessments. Tiered lessons provide opportunities for students to grow while focusing on the same concepts. It has been challenging to accommodate all different learner styles. For one, I try to accommodate by using a variety of assignments within a unit, realizing that students do not learn in the same way.
-Robert M. Hutchins
Teaching is a profession that can result in something rewarding when the right ideas and beliefs are implemented in the classroom. I hold many ideas about teaching, specifically teaching science. Some of my ideas come from observing educational settings or as a result of my educational experiences. Many of my ideas come from my background in Human Development and observing adolescence. I believe that it is the task of every teacher to increase knowledge and understanding in the classroom. For me, teaching science should ideally be focused around three major areas: Discovery Learning, Communication, and Accommodating all Learners.
Discovery Learning is an inquiry based, constructivist theory that believes students learn best in situations where they connect past experiences to existing knowledge and discover new things. This is one of my main focuses because one of the benefits of using the Discovery Learning approach in science is that it will create a social environment where students are intrinsically motivated to learn more information,experiment,and/or solve problems. By stimulating students curiosity, whether through laboratories, projects,or connecting science to daily life, they will be directed to take ownership of their own learning. I believe that by actively engaging students they will pay more attention and better grasp the concepts in science. It is of greater importance and much clearer when we connect information ourselves.
Communication will be another major focus for me as a teacher. I believe that effective communication is a key component in teaching because it promotes positive behavior and sets the tone for the classroom. Getting students to participate in class by being inviting and supportive of their comments, ideas, and questions can help students feel more comfortable in the classroom. I think that if students feel more comfortable in the classroom then they will be more willing to cooperate and learn. Setting clear objectives and expectations are also important to promote student involvement in learning and classroom management. Students need to know what is expected of them, for example being disrespectful to others while having a group discussion will not be tolerated. It is not only important to communicate with students but parents, guardians, administrators, and other professionals as well. These people can become valuable resources in which teachers can use to exchange ideas, get advice, or help solve a problem.
Accommodating students learning styles is very important to me. It is important to remember that every student is different and learns things in different ways. Differences may include cultural, linguistic,or intellectual. Many students have a preferred way of thinking that works best when introducing new concepts to them and communicating. I realize that there are different ways that knowledge can be gained and learning can be assessed and I plan to accommodate students to the best of my ability. I realize that a big problem in school is that some students struggle and fall behind the curriculum and do not understand why, they just figure that something must be wrong with them, get frustrated,and ultimately disengage themselves from the topic. I know this because I too struggled as a student. A few ways to accommodate different learning styles include,but are not limited to, research projects, jigsaw activities, or using audio and visual technology. Using a variety of learning opportunities allows students to both enjoy learning, and if a choice is incorporated, gives them some control over their education. A good teacher is one who focuses on students abilities, interests, and background knowledge.
My teaching philosophy addresses my beliefs and is influenced by my experiences. Promoting students involvement in learning is very important to me and by stimulating their curiosity it motivates students to want to understand ideas. It is my opinion that encouraging effective communication inside and outside the classroom will help foster lifelong learning. Also, I believe that it is beneficial to understand that students learn differently and that not all teaching styles are equally effective in all situations. Being a science teacher, I can provide students with new learning opportunities like experimenting in laboratories, participating in science fairs, and discovering new things from hands-on activities. I believe that one of the gifts of science is inquiry and ultimately it promotes students thinking and fosters lifelong knowledge.
NEW
I believe that each student has to have a secure and supportive learning environment. Learning has to be promoted so students can grow and mature intellectually, emotionally, socially, and physically. Ideally, I would like to promote a learning environment that is safe, inviting, and supports risk-taking. Now that I have been in the classroom for a few weeks my views have been influenced a bit. I have used my old rationale as the foundation to build upon, that is why I did not delete it , rather modified.
I view inquiry and discovery learning as the same concept. I have came to the realization that the idea of Inquiry-based activities is great but I have found that when supplies are limited you use what you have. Some of the time engaging students is attempted through discussions and connections made to everyday life. I truly believe that students generate a sincere interest when confronted with a task or problem that is relevant. When students are interested in something it fosters intrinsic motivation and students can take ownership for their learning. They are motivated to work hard and achieve their goals.I believe that inquiry is important in Science. There is alot of planning and time that goes into inquiry based activities. Before I think of doing an inquiry based lesson I surround myself with the possibilities and misconceptions that the students may have, and I wonder "will they get it". That is a risk that the teacher takes.
I have found that communication is very important in a classroom. Verbal and non-verbal communication is very important for a teacher to guide and instruct. Also, reading students body language is helpful to see if they are confident or interested. Time management and deadlines have become helpful for me. By monitoring the time for tasks it ensures me that I will cover most of what has been planned (we all know that this is difficult because of many reasons). Effective communication supports interaction within the classroom. Discreet non-verbal cues and constant prodding have been effective for me. Setting clear objectives and expectations have made it easier to promote student involvement in learning and classroom management. A safe, supportive, and respected learning environment fosters positive relationships. In my opinion, students need to know what is expected of them, for example being disrespectful to others while having a group discussion will not be tolerated. I think that students need to feel comfortable enough in the classroom that they can open up to share their ideas and experiences. Ultimately, I have observed that if the student feels intimidated or is shy that he/she will not take risks for the simple reasons of being wrong,embarrassed, or the fear of being teased.
Lastly, accommodation is important to ensure equal learning opportunities for all. It does not mean that all students have to perform on the same task. Differentiating instruction to me means sometimes assessing on growth rather than formal assessments. Tiered lessons provide opportunities for students to grow while focusing on the same concepts. It has been challenging to accommodate all different learner styles. For one, I try to accommodate by using a variety of assignments within a unit, realizing that students do not learn in the same way.